Stomach burning (also known as acid reflux disease) is a condition experienced by millions of people worldwide. The typical approach to solving this problem is to use over the counter antacids for quick relief. The problem with antacids is that they only temporarily mask the problem, they contain harmful ingredients and eventually lead to many possible side effects. Calcium carbonate based antacids have actually been found to increase stomach acid. Understanding the cause of stomach burning will help you to prevent it in a healthy manner. Factors leading to stomach burning include what you eat, when you eat and how much you eat. Making the appropriete changes in these areas is a very effective way of treating stomach burning.

One major cause of stomach burning is eating heavy meals, especially less than 3 hours before bedtime. This requires a large amounts of stomach acid to digest a lot of food in a short amount of time. Going to bed with undigested food in your stomach will cause stomach burning during the night. Many times it will occur soon after a meal because the esophagus becomes overwhelmed by the high acid content in the stomach, the large amount of food in the stomach prevents the esophagus from being cleared fast enough, or the type of food eaten is too acidic.

When the stomach acids touch the lining of the esophagus it causes heartburn. If the acid reaches to the back of the mouth it causes acid indigestion. To help avoid these conditions eat in an upright position and stay upright for at least 45 minutes after eating, avoid lying down after eating and stay away from late night snacks. Eating smaller meals more frequently during the day requires less work by the stomach. Therefore a smaller amount of stomach acid would be needed, which would minimize the possibility of stomach burning. Drinking milk before bedtime may cause temporary relief but will result in more stomach acid being produced, causing stomach burning in the night.

Eating balanced meals will prevent the stomach acid from becoming too acidic and help keep the lower esophageal shincter (a muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that closes off food and liquid from the esophagus) in proper working condition. When the esophageal shincter is working properly, food and liquid is prevented from getting into the esophagus.

Avoid eating a lot of high fat foods because they decrease esophageal shincter efficiency and slow down stomach emptying. Smoking also inhibit esophageal shincter function. Foods to be avoided are fast foods, high fat or fried foods and creamed foods and soups, soft drinks and beer. Beer can potentially double your stomach acid in about an hour. Foods that prevent stomach burning are those high in complex carbohydrates because they are able to hold on to stomach acid and are easy on the stomach. The best foods to choose are brown rice, whole grain breads and pastas.

There are a number of alternative treatments for stomach burning that people have found to be successful remedies. They include Chamomile tea, ginger root, deglycyrrhizinated licorice, tumeric, raw almonds, aloe vera juice and baking soda.

Resorting to antacids for temporary relief of stomach burning will never solve the problem or be a benefit to your health. The best way to treat stomach burning is by eating balanced meals, eating smaller meals more frequently, and avoiding eating in the evening and acid producing foods.